S.C. Governor Mark Sanford has admitted to being unfaithful to his wife, and stated in his press conference at 2:30 p.m. that this was the reason he was in Argentina for Father's Day instead of at home with his family.

Sanford offered several apologies -- to his family, the members of his staff and to the citizens of South Carolina.

Seemingly fighting tears at times, he said the situation holds a certain irony. He said his mistress is also married and has two children.

Sanford said he has known the person for eight years, and that this was the only time he has been unfaithful.

Sanford said the relationship began with casual emails and grew into something more within the last year.

Sanford annouced his resignation as the chair of the Republican Governor's Association, but did not answer a final question on whether or not he would be resigning as the governor of South Carolina.

Sanford claims he did not intentionally mislead his staff with information that he would be hiking the Appalachain Trail. He said he had planned to do so, but changed his original plan at the last minute and took the five-day trip to Argentina.

South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler (R-Cherokee) said after Sanford's annoucnement that he was deeply disturbed that no one knew the whereabouts of the governor.

"He left the country and deliberately made himself unavailable without delegating power to the Lt. Governor. In the process he misled his staff who unknowingly misled the public. These actions could have had drastic consequences in the case of an emergency. We cannot let the Governor's personal life overshadow his public responsibility, or in this case, his negligence of gubernatorial authority.”

In an interview with The State newspaper Sanford said he considered hiking, but at the last minute changed his mind.

"But I said 'no' I wanted to do something exotic," Sanford told the newspaper.

The Republican governor had been a rumored contender for the 2012 GOP ticket. A former congressman, he's most recently snared headlines for his unsuccessful fight to turn aside federal stimulus cash for his state's schools.

District 95 Rep. Bakari Sellers said Wednesday shortly after Sanford's announcement that Sanford's actions are a testament to his lack of leadership over the past six years.

"We have to move forward as a state," Sellers said. "We have to show the good that comes from the South Carolinas."

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler released a statement today in which she said thoughts and prayers should be with the Sanford family. 

"Our thoughts are with the Governor's family at this time," Fowler said. "Mark Sanford should be given time to focus on his family right now. There will be other opportunities in the weeks ahead to discuss his effectiveness as our state's governor."

Fowler was one of several at the South Carolina Statehouse and on Capitol Hill to release an official statement following the dramatic event. 

House Speaker Bobby Harrell said today's events were disturbing and shocking.

"The governor’s absence has brought to light some issues regarding the chain of command in the absence of the chief executive. It is imperative that the General Assembly deal with this during the next session. More importantly, we must focus on our state’s economy and improving education. With our unemployment rate as the third worst in the country, our time has to be devoted to getting unemployed South Carolinians back to work, improving education and growing our state’s economy."

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement:

“I’ve been a close friend of Mark and Jenny since our election to Congress in 1994. Like all of their friends, I want the best for their family and hope they can repair the damage. I will provide any personal support I can.

“Jenny and Mark have four wonderful boys. The Sanford family needs time and space to work through their challenges. I hope they are afforded that opportunity.

“As for the future, I hope Mark will reconcile with his family and can continue serving as our state's governor.”

South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Karen Floyd released the following statement:

“On the personal front, today’s news is neither a Republican nor Democrat issue. It is sad that any family suffers like this, particularly when it is played out on a public stage.

Effective, responsive, and responsible government is a hallmark of our party. Conservative leaders have earned and kept the trust of South Carolina’s majority for many years, and I will make every effort to ensure our party keeps that trust.

In the hours and days ahead, I will reach out to and work with Republican office-holders, candidates, and activists to regain public confidence and win the next round of elections.”

U.S. Congressman Gresham Barrett, Republican candidate for Governor, today released the following statement regarding Governor Sanford’s announcement:

“We keep the Governor and his family in our prayers during this difficult time.”

Representative Nikki Haley (R-Lexington) released the following statement regarding Governor Sanford’s press conference:

“While Governor Sanford and I have long shared a political philosophy, today’s revelations go well beyond politics. This is a tragic situation for the Sanford family and for our state. My prayers are with the Sanfords, and in particular with Jenny and the boys, and I will do anything I can to help them through this ordeal.

“My work in the General Assembly and in my campaign for governor has always been centered on bringing trust and accountability back to government. One component of that is treating taxpayer dollars responsibly and changing the structure of state government so it is accountable to taxpayers. Governor Sanford has been a champion of those principles, and I admire his efforts in those areas. However, another component is behaving in a manner that allows people to trust in their public officials and feel good about their government. Obviously, the Governor has fallen far short in that regard and that is extremely unfortunate.

“I will continue to bring my message of trust and accountability to the people of our state over the weeks and months ahead. More importantly, I hope to be able to help heal the wounds that have been created in South Carolina by today’s news.”

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